Ask a Capetonian about the Southern Suburbs and they will picture oak-lined avenues, the mountain looming over Newlands and the rain that rolls in off it in winter. Those same oaks, gardens and wet months are why squirrels, rats, ants and wood borer make up so much of our work between Rondebosch and Constantia.
Scorpion Control by suburb
We cover all 29 suburbs on our Southern Suburbs route. Each suburb page covers what we find there and what works for those streets and buildings.
- BergvlietScorpion Control
- BishopscourtScorpion Control
- ClaremontScorpion Control
- ConstantiaScorpion Control
- Diep RiverScorpion Control
- Harfield VillageScorpion Control
- HeathfieldScorpion Control
- KenilworthScorpion Control
- KenwynScorpion Control
- KirstenhofScorpion Control
- KreupelboschScorpion Control
- LansdowneScorpion Control
- MeadowridgeScorpion Control
- MowbrayScorpion Control
- NdabeniScorpion Control
- NewlandsScorpion Control
- ObservatoryScorpion Control
- OtteryScorpion Control
- PinelandsScorpion Control
- PlumsteadScorpion Control
- RetreatScorpion Control
- RondeboschScorpion Control
- Rondebosch EastScorpion Control
- RosebankScorpion Control
- Salt RiverScorpion Control
- SouthfieldScorpion Control
- SteenbergScorpion Control
- TokaiScorpion Control
- WynbergScorpion Control
The local picture in Southern Suburbs
Argentine ants run long trails into kitchens and bathrooms in summer, often from the garden beds along the house. Fishmoths thrive in damp built-in cupboards and bookshelves, and rain spiders wander in from the garden.
The housing spans Victorian semis in Rondebosch and Claremont, big Edwardian and mid-century family homes in Newlands and Bishopscourt, student digs near UCT, blocks of flats around Wynberg and Claremont, and old farm-style homesteads and estates in Constantia. Many older homes have suspended timber floors, deep roof voids and outbuildings that rodents and squirrels quickly claim. Thatched roofs and gabled homesteads in Constantia bring their own timber and rodent issues.
This side of Table Mountain catches far more rain than the rest of the city, and Newlands is among the wettest suburbs in Cape Town. Kirstenbosch, Newlands Forest and the mountain slopes border the upper edge, while the Liesbeek River winds through Newlands and Rondebosch toward the Black River. Winter damp encourages fishmoths and borer, and the canopy of oaks and pines keeps grey squirrels well supplied.
Grey squirrels and roof rats in ceilings are the classic Southern Suburbs complaint, especially in autumn and winter. Argentine ants surge indoors when it gets hot and dry, and fishmoths love the damp. Wood borer is a constant concern in older homes, and mosquitoes breed in gutters and water features after rain.
Tell-tale signs
- Scorpions are seen on walls, patios or in the garage at night.
- There are lots of crickets, cockroaches or other insects around, which gives scorpions plenty to eat.
- They turn up in shoes, towels or laundry left on the floor.
- A UV torch at night reveals scorpions glowing blue-green in the garden or along the walls.
A note from the field
Dogs that dig and paw at things in the garden are often the ones that get stung. Keeping rockeries and woodpiles away from the areas where pets play helps a lot.
What happens when we come out
Scorpions are harder to kill with contact sprays than most insects, so we focus on a combination of habitat reduction and targeted treatment. We apply a residual treatment to entry points, door thresholds, wall bases, airbricks and known hiding spots around the outside of the house. Because scorpions follow their food, we also treat for crickets, cockroaches and other insects that attract them. Where burrows are found, they can be treated directly. We pair this with practical advice on clearing debris and sealing gaps, which is often what makes the biggest difference.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our scorpion control service works.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Move rubble, firewood, bricks and loose stones away from the walls of the house.
- Fit brush strips under doors and seal gaps around pipes, airbricks and window frames.
- Shake out shoes, boots and towels before using them, especially those left outside or on the floor.
- Use yellow or warm-coloured outside lights to attract fewer insects, which means fewer scorpions hunting them.
- Keep beds and cots away from walls and do not let bedding hang down to the floor.
What affects the price
The cost depends on the size of the property and garden, how much hiding space there is in rockeries and walls, and whether an insect treatment is needed to reduce their food. Properties on the edge of open veld or fynbos tend to have more ongoing pressure and may benefit from regular treatments. Follow-ups and any contract options are included in a free quote.
Clearing rubble, sealing gaps and using a UV torch to find scorpions at night can make a real difference without any chemicals. Sprays from the shop do little against scorpions because they are quite resistant to contact products. If you have small children or are finding thick-tailed scorpions, have a professional deal with it.
Questions we get asked in Southern Suburbs
How do I get grey squirrels out of my roof in the Southern Suburbs?
The first step is finding and sealing every entry point once the squirrels are out, usually along fascias near trees. We can inspect your roof and advise on proofing and safe removal.
Can you get rid of scorpions completely?
Not entirely, especially next to veld or fynbos, because they move in from surrounding land. We can greatly reduce how many come close to and into the house.
Do you come out to Southern Suburbs for scorpion control?
Yes. Southern Suburbs is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Rondebosch, Claremont, Newlands, Wynberg. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Do I need a beetle certificate to sell an old house in the Southern Suburbs?
In most sales, yes, it is a condition of the deed of sale. Older homes with timber floors and roof beams are inspected closely, so it is worth checking before you list.
Is the treatment safe for children and pets?
Products are applied outside around entry points and wall bases rather than in living areas. Keep children and pets off treated areas until dry, and we will advise you on the day.
Why do scorpions come indoors?
They come in hunting insects or looking for shelter, often after rain floods their burrows or on hot nights. Gaps under doors and around pipes make it easy for them.
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